1. Go Wild! pond we created attracts many
wood frogs in early spring,” she
adds. “Even our grandchildren have
With Wild Yards benefited from seeing nature up
close with the diversity we have at-
tracted.”
This program, first established
in 1997, has certified over 130
Wild Yards throughout West Vir-
ginia. One doesn’t have to have a
large piece of land to become certi-
fied. You may have a farm, or have
a house on a city lot or be an apart-
ment dweller with lots of creativity.
To become a Wild Yards participant
you need to provide the basic needs
of wildlife. The specific aspects of
a Wild Yard that are necessary to
attract and maintain wildlife include
shelter, water, food and space.
Shelter can be provided in many
different ways. Some examples
are: providing a nest box for birds;
creating an unmowed area planted
with warm season grasses to provide
cover for ground birds; leaving a
brush pile to create habitat for small
mammals, rabbits, box turtles or
garter snakes; or planting evergreen
trees to provide winter cover for a
number of species.
NRCS Photo
Water is crucial to wildlife. You
may have a great source of water
already present, such as a nearby
stream or pond. If you don’t have a
By Rose Sullivan 1998, being involved with the Wild nearby source, providing a bird bath
A
re you someone who is in- Yards program has resulted in enjoy- or creating a small pond – perhaps a
terested in attracting wildlife ing wildlife more closely. water garden – may be a wonderful
to your yard? Do you have “One of the striking differences way to improve backyard habitat.
a desire to create a habitat that is in our yard is the amount of birds Food comes in a variety of
rich in diversity and supports plants that we now have coming through,” forms. Putting up bird and wildlife
and animals native to West Virginia? Mary Ann says. “We planted spruce feeders can be beneficial, but plant-
Maybe you already have a great trees that have created more win- ing native vegetation as a source of
place for wildlife in your yard but ter cover and attract a whole range food for animals is one of the best
would like to attract specific types of birds, including woodpeckers, ways to ensure the diversity and sus-
of wildlife, like butterflies, amphib- chickadees, finches and a variety tainability of West Virginia wildlife.
ians or songbirds. If so, the West of songbirds.” During the warmer Providing birds with suet and year-
Virginia Wild Yards Program may months the Honchariks mow only round feeders increases their chance
be for you. pathways through the grass on a for survival. However, most species
For Mary Ann and Alex Hon- regular basis. of songbirds feed insects, worms and
charik of Tucker County, members “We see a lot of butterflies on spiders to their young, so providing
of the Wild Yards program since the property now and the small habitat for these tiny invertebrate
20 WV Wildlife

2. creatures is equally important. This
means limiting or eliminating the
use of insecticides in your yard and
leaving parts of it unmowed.
Native plants (as opposed to the
exotic ornamentals that you find
in most nurseries) play an integral
role in the life of wildlife. Native
animals, especially the bees, butter-
flies and other pollinators, have co-
evolved with and adapted to native
plants. When we plant an exotic,
Mary Ann Honcharik
it may become invasive and crowd
out other species of plants that are
crucial parts of wildlife habitats.
The spread of invasive plant species
has become a significant threat to Alex Honcharik sits beside the pond he and his wife designed on their property in
wildlife, often in ways that are not Tucker county
yet fully understood. A dead tree also provides the For Jan Woodward Heffner of
Space is a necessary requirement medium for growth of a wide range Fairmont, participating in the WRS
for all wildlife. Of course your Wild of mushroom species--food for red program has had many benefits. As
Yard will not limit the range of a and flying squirrels, insects, snails an advocate of a diversity-rich yard
species. Wild animals, birds and and humans. Many are also favor- and a certified Wild Yards partici-
insects do not refer to the county ites of mushroom hunters, such pant since 2002, she has appreciated
tax maps to determine their move- as oysters, brickcaps, hen-of-the- the parade of wildlife that has used
ments! It is important however, for woods and chicken-of-the-woods. her yard, especially in the winter
each of us to realize the importance Of course you need to know what when cover and food become most
of the fragmentation of habitats that you are looking at--dead wood important. She often sees fox and
has occurred as a result also supports poisonous wild turkeys forage in her pesticide-
of human activities. mushrooms such as the free yard and has helped her garden
Species have different deadly Galerina and Jack- club understand the importance of
habitat requirements, o-Lantern. Also don’t be diversity by building toad houses.
and some will not cross in such a hurry to gather “It is not any more trouble to have
wide areas where their the leaves under your an ecologically sound yard,” she
habitat has been re- trees. Leaf litter provides said, “and the reward is in all the
moved. Try to keep a a place for insects that are animals I see.”
diversity of habitats on a food source for birds Rose Sullivan is the WRS coordi-
Alex Honcharik
your property whenever and shrews. Not mow- nator for the Wild Yards Program, the
space permits. ing close to the edge of a Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites Pro-
Some people are pond increases habitat for gram, and the West Virginia Master
surprised to learn that Mary Ann Honcharik frogs and turtles. Naturalist Program.
NOT changing their
yards often benefits wildlife. For How to Have a Certified West Virginia Wild Yard
example, leave that dead standing It’s easy! Request a booklet and application from the WRS Wildlife Diversity Pro-
tree as it is. If it is hollow, it is a gram at 304-637-0245 or email: rosesullivan@wvdnr.gov. You can
great place for mammal dens. It also go online with the following link: http://www.wvdnr.gov/wild-
also can provide food for insect eat- life/landscape.shtm. At that web page you can download the Wild
Yards booklet and application as well as get information on native
ers, and provide singing perches for
shrubs, butterfly gardening, enhancing bird habitats, and find out
songbirds and hunting perches for where to buy native plants as well as what plants to avoid. After
raptors. Woodpeckers will excavate you send back your application, and it is reviewed for certification,
nest cavities, and those openings you will receive a sign that you can post in your yard stating that
may be used by others such as flying your yard has been selected as a West Virginia Wild Yard.
squirrels and chickadees.
Spring 2006 21